Pro-Consumer Percentage: 100% The following is a synopsis of how the Senator voted in the 2017 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

Description: SB309 places a permanent prohibition on net metering in 5 years and ends net metering permanently in 30 years. This bill is an attempt by Indiana’s electric monopoly utilities to quash the rooftop solar industry and prevent homeowners and small businesses from generating their own energy on their own property using the power of the sun, the wind, and other renewable energy resources.

Votes on SB 309: 3 votes; all Pro-Consumer

HB 1519: Infrastructure development zone utility service Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Description: HB1519 puts in place a process which allows water utilities to acquire future water resources for the purpose of serving their customers and authorizes water utilities to seek approval from the Commission to replace customer-owned lead service lines. Additionally, the bill authorizes water and wastewater utilities to create a low-income assistance program in an attempt to insulate vulnerable Hoosier households from the significant increases in water and sewer bills by making their monthly bills more affordable

Votes on HB 1519: Pro-Consumer

SB 416: Infrastructure assistance fundStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Description: SB416 creates a fund to assist communities struggling with the current funding challenges they face in maintaining and upgrading their water and wastewater infrastructure. The fund will allow communities and local utilities to seek grants, loans, and other financial assistance in an attempt to mitigate rate increases on consumers and reduce the financial burden on water utilities and local governments.

Votes on SB 416:

Committee Votes: Pro-Consumer

Senate Floor Votes: 2 votes; both Pro-Consumer

SB 511: Water and wastewater utilitiesStatus: Died in the Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee

Description: Requires the Indiana finance authority to study the ability of utilities to provide clean and safe drinking water in Indiana for the foreseeable future.

Votes on SB 511:

Committee Votes: Pro-Consumer

Senate Floor Votes: Pro-Consumer

SB 500: Home owner associations and solar powerStatus: Died in the Judiciary Committee

Description: Currently, many homeowner’s associations (HOA) severely restrict the use of solar panels on homes, or outright prohibit the installation of solar panels. The bill would prohibit an HOA from preventing a homeowner from installing solar panels or from placing onerous and unnecessary restrictions on the use of solar energy.

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 100% The following is a synopsis of how the Senator voted in the 2015 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

Would have made it illegal for Indiana’s Executive Branch to pass policies that are tighter for public health than what the U.S. EPA does, for those situations where the EPA has set standards. While the EPA has acted decisively to protect our air quality, there are many areas where the EPA has been, caweak. The EPA has not adequately protected the public from such serious environmental problems as pollution from fracking, factory farm manure pits, and outdoor wood boilers. HB 1082 was also called the “No More Stringent Than Bill”.

Votes on HB1082: 2 votes; both Pro-Consumer

HB1053: Regulation of packaging materialsStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Amends the home rule statute to prohibit a local government unit from: (1) regulating: (A) certain activities with respect to reusable or disposable auxiliary containers designed for one time use or for transporting merchandise or food from food or retail facilities (auxiliary containers); or (B) a manufacturer of, a distributor of, or a food or retail facility that sells, provides, or otherwise makes use of, auxiliary containers, in connection with certain activities involving auxiliary containers; or (2) imposing any prohibition, restriction, fee, or tax with respect to auxiliary containers or to a manufacturer of, a distributor of, or a food or retail facility that sells, provides, or otherwise makes use of, auxiliary containers, in connection with certain activities involving auxiliary containers. Essentially, HB 1053 completely does away with local control by preempting city or county policies regulating plastic bags.

Votes on HB 1053: Pro-Consumer

SB15: Fresh Food InitiativeStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Establishes the food desert grant and loan program within the state department of health's division of nutrition and physical activity to assist new businesses, existing businesses, and other legal entities to offer fresh and unprocessed foods within a food desert. Defines "food desert". Requires the division to establish: (1) criteria for awarding grants and making loans under the program; and (2) terms and conditions for recipients of the grants and loans. Provides that the recipient of a grant or loan: (1) may use the proceeds only to acquire, repair, or renovate property or equipment to be used in offering fresh and unprocessed foods within a food desert; and (2) shall not use the proceeds to acquire food to be sold. Establishes the food deserts fund for purposes of awarding grants and loans under the program.

Votes on SB15: Pro-Consumer

SB347: Water resourcesStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

This bill enables more comprehensive reporting of water resource issues including water distribution challenges and infrastructure needs.

Votes on SB347: Pro-Consumer

SB383: System integrity adjustmentsStatus:Signed into law by Gov. Pence

SB383 creates a new tracker for water utilities to use for infrastructure improvements and repairs with some important “first of its kind” accountability measures imposed on the utility. More importantly, SB383 includes a new policy statement from the legislature, which is applicable to all public utilities, declaring that utility bills should be affordable for current and future generations. CAC offered strong support for this important policy direction from the legislature.

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 60% The following is a synopsis of how the Representative voted in the 2015 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

After the State Legislature killed Indiana’s incredibly effective efficiency programs (Energizing Indiana) last year, Gov. Pence promised a strong efficiency bill this year. What we got instead was a bill that allows utilities to run their own efficiency programs without strong goals being set in Indiana’s energy policy. It allows utilities to steal the economic benefits of energy efficiency from customers by charging us hundreds of millions for energy we don’t use because of efficiency measures. This bill is so bad, Hoosiers would be better off without any bill at all.

Vote on SB 412: 3 votes; all Pro-Consumer

HB1351: Restrictions on rulemakingStatus: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee

Voids state administrative rules, guidelines, and other policies or standards that are not specifically authorized by state statue or do not implement a federal requirement. Establishes the office of regulatory accountability in the legislative services agency to review administrative rules for compliance with regulatory goals specified by the general assembly.

Vote on HB 1351: Anti-Consumer

SJR 2: Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlifeStatus: As a joint resolution, SJR2 did not require the Governor's approval. The measure was approved by two consecutive and separately elected legislative bodies for placement into Indiana's Constitution.

Senate Joint Resolution 2 is an amendment to the Indiana State Constitution "that provides that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Indiana's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good."

CAC's concern with this bill was that it is unnecessary and that "wildlife" is not well defined, so this proposed amendment could put the interests of big farmers above those of other Hoosiers. Granting factory farms special protection in the Indiana State Constitution puts an end to local control, taking away to the ability of local communities to pass local ordinances that protect their interests. No industry should have special protections in the Indiana Constitution.

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 50% The following is a synopsis of how the Senator voted in the 2014 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

SB 340: Demand Side Management ProgramsStatus: Became law without Gov. Pence's signature CAC fought long and hard to help bring energy efficiency programs to Indiana. These programs have been running for a couple of years now, and they're working - energy efficiency is reducing the demand for electricity in our state. This reduces the need to build more power plants, which means we don't have to pay for more power plants, which keeps our electric bills from skyrocketing. SB340 dismantles energy efficiency programs in Indiana. SB340 is simply bad public policy.

Vote on SB 340: Pro-Consumer

SB 186: State Policy on Agriculture and Farmers' RightsStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Senate Bill 186 is being promoted as a way to protect farmer’s rights. In reality this bill puts the interests of big farmers above those of other Hoosiers. It is completely unnecessary and puts other property owners, our environment and rural communities at risk. Granting factory farms special protection in state law will put an end to local control, taking away to the ability of local communities to pass local ordinances that protect their interests. No industry should have special protections in the law. Many Hoosiers who live in close proximity to factory farms are already suffering from their effects. Our rights need to be protected!

Vote on SB 186:

Committee vote: Anti-Consumer

Senate floor vote: Anti-Consumer

SJR 9: Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest WildlifeStatus: Passed the 2014 Indiana General Assembly. This is a proposed constitutional amendment, so it can now be proposed again in the next session of the legislature that convenes after a general election has taken place.

Provides that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of Indiana's heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. CAC's concern with this bill is that "wildlife" is not well defined, and so this bill could turn into something akin to SB186 (above).

Vote on SJR 9: Anti-Consumer

SB 101: Agricultural Operations and Criminal Tresspass (Ag Gag)Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Senate Bill 101, the 2014 version of Ag-Gag, would have had a chilling effect on the public’s right to know how our food is produced and processed. In its original form, this bill would have made it a crime to expose illegal or unethical practices at farms in Indiana.

We were able to neutralize the bill's impact on consumers with the amendments that were inserted in the Senate committee, and we helped to keep bad language from creeping back into the bill as it moved through the process. We are pleased that once again this year we helped to stop big ag's attempts to operate in secret and to preemptively prevent whistleblowers from exposing their inhumane and unsafe practices.

Vote on SB 101: Anti-Consumer

HB 1391: CHOICE programStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

Changes asset limitations within the community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled program (program) from $500,000 to $250,000 and specifies certain exemptions. This bill expands the CHOICE Home Care Program to allow more Hoosiers to have access to the in-home care services they need. For more on the CHOICE program, click here.

Vote on HB 1391: 3 votes; all Pro-Consumer

HB 1162: Certificates of Need for UtilitiesStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence

The issue of competitive procurement was brought to the General Assembly in an attempt to bring fairness and transparency to the process of the electric utilities decision making process with respect to securing resources to serve the needs of their customers. Currently, Indiana law does not require the utilities to conduct a public bidding process when they need additional generation resources, whether they need new generation or are considering expensive modifications to existing resources. A public and transparent process would help to ensure that the utilities were in fact selecting the resource which would provide service to their customers at the “least cost” reasonably possible. However, HB1162 was amended in the House Utility Committee to cement the existing, flawed process into law, which changes nothing and creates the false appearance that Indiana now has a “competitive” process in place. HB1162 is nothing more than an attempt by the utility lobby to put an end to this necessary conversation and maintain the status quo.

Vote on HB 1162: Anti-Consumer

HB1143: Environmental Rules and Standards Status: Died in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee

Would have prohibited the environmental rules board from adopting a rule or standard that is more stringent than the corresponding regulation or standard established under federal law. Makes corresponding changes in the law concerning the adoption of environmental rules.

Vote on HB 1143: Pro-Consumer

2013 Voting Records: Representative David Niezgodski (D, District 7)

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 63% The following is a synopsis of how the Representative voted in the 2013 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

SB 560 Utility TransmissionStatus: Signed into law by Gov. Pence This bill will virtually allow Indiana electric and natural gas to raise your rates automatically, and at the same time deregulate most of their monopoly revenue and profits.

SB 494/510 Substitute Natural Gas Status: Signed into law by Gov. Pence Restores some regulatory oversight over the proposed Indiana Gasification/Leucadia coal-to-gas plant in Rockport, IN by defining what is meant by a "guarantee of savings" to ratepayers and requiring the IURC to ensure that ratepayers are provided an actual guarantee of savings from this project.

The original language in SB510 promised to protect consumers from unreasonable and excessive charges for substitute natural gas (SNG) from the proposed Indiana Gasification/Leucadia coal-to-gas plant in Rockport, IN. SB 510 died in the House.

2011 Voting Records: Representative David Niezgodski (D, District 7)

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 83%The following is a synopsis of how the Representative voted in the 2011 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their "Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage" is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

SB 251: This bill was the mother lode for the utilities this year. It does the following:

Defines clean energy as virtually any technology that produces electricity; which includes truly renewable sources like wind and solar, but also includes, but is not limited to, nuclear, coal gasification, solid waste, coal bed methane, and industrial byproducts.

Gives the utilities all kinds of trackers, which allow the utilities to raise your rates when their costs go up without having to lower your rates when their costs go down.

Allows utilities to use Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) to charge ratepayers to uprate nuclear power plants before the uprate actually produces any electricity

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 251: 10 votes - all Pro-Consumer

HB 1128: This bill was essentially the same as SB 251, except that it did not include the eminent domain.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 1128: 2 votes - both Pro-Consumer

SB 71: This bill will essentially open the State of Indiana to hydrofracking (hydraulic fracturing) coal seams for the purpose of extracting coal bed methane, with no requirement that the operators of these wells comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act or even allow the public to comment on the permits or know the location of where these operations will take place.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 71: Pro-Consumer

SB 66: This bill amends the definition of "renewable energy resources" in utilities law to add low temperature, oxygen starved gasification of municipal solid waste (burning trash to make electricity).

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 66: Pro-Consumer

2010 Voting Records: Representative David Niezgodski (D, District 7)

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 100% The following is a synopsis of how the Senator voted in the 2010 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their “Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage” is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

SB 313: Net Metering Status: Dead SB 313 would expand eligible net metering customer classes to allow individuals, businesses, commercial industries, and universities to interconnect to the grid and generate their own power. SB 313 would not set a limit on the size of the system a customer could install, unless you are a residential customer or K-12 schools, in which case you remain captive to the current rule. This bill encourages renewable energy production, energy independence, and customer owned generation.

Rep. Niezgodski’s Vote on SB 313: Pro-Consumer

HB 1063: Energy Efficient Buildings Status: Dead HB 1063 requires a government building to be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to achieve or exceed the level of energy efficiency required under certain rating systems. Buildings represent 39% of the energy, 72% of the electricity, and 55% of the natural gas in the U.S. annually. The benefits of green building are a significant cost savings for Indiana taxpayers, improved worker health and productivity, improved public and environmental health, and a huge reduction in CO2 emissions.

Rep. Niezgodski’s Vote on HB 1063: Pro-Consumer

HB 1094 : Net Metering Status: Dead Currently, net metering is limited to only 10 kilowatts, and only to residential customers and K-12 schools. Authored by Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend) this bill would expand eligible customers classes to allow individuals, businesses, commercial industries, and universities to generate their own electricity. The utility would also be required to add a credit to the customer's bill for any surplus power that is generated. This bill encourages renewable energy production, energy independence. and customer owned generation.

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 69% The following is a synopsis of how the Representative voted in the 2009 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their “Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage” is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

HB 1080: Sales tax exemption for home energy assistanceStatus: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee HB 1080 would have made the sales tax exemption for low-income home energy assistance permanent. The exemption is set to expire on July 1, 2009. Households that receive home energy assistance live at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level for a family of 4 is currently set at $22,050. These families receive these dollars out of need. Poor families struggle daily to provide food, shelter, clothing, and health care for themselves and family members. This daily struggle to survive is exacerbated in the winter time, as their energy costs significantly increase, trying to keep their family warm. Adding additional expense by taxing these assistance dollars is inhumane and wrong. It should also be noted that LIHEAP dollars come from the Federal Government, or taxpayers. These funds are a result of tax dollars, and there is something fundamentally wrong and unethical about assessing a State tax on Federal tax dollars.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1080: Pro-Consumer

HB 1347: Net MeteringStatus: Died in the Senate Utilities & Technology Committee HB 1347 expanded Indiana’s net metering rule to allow any utility customer, including customers of cooperatives and municipals, to connect a renewable energy system with a capacity of 5 megawatts, up from the current law of 10 kilowatts. Current law also limits the program to residential and K-12 schools only. HB 1347 would have expanded the program to all customer classes.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1347: Pro-Consumer

HB 1348: Energy conservation codes and standardsStatus: Vetoed by the Governor Authored by Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend), and joined by co-authors Rep. Pierce and Rep. Bill Ruppel (R, N. Manchester), requires the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to adopt the most recent edition of the (1) International Energy Conservation Code as published by the International Code Council; or (2) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, or Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1; for commercial structures before July 1, 2010.

Rep. Niezgodski's Votes on HB 1348: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer

HB 1352: The Climate RegistryStatus: Died in the Senate Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee HB 1352 would have required the state of Indiana to become a member of and participate in the Climate Registry concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction. This bill would have ensured Indiana’s place at the table in developing policies related to carbon dioxide air emissions. Given Indiana’s disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, Indiana’s participation in the Climate Registry is a key to acknowledging our shortcomings and facing our challenges for the betterment of generations to come. However thanks to the influence of special interests, Indiana continues to stand in the middle of the railroad tracks, waiting to be run over by the freight train known as climate legislation.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1352: Pro-Consumer

HB 1360: Alternative energy incentives for REMCs Status: Died in the Senate Originally, HB 1360 intended to create an alternative energy fund for the REMCs. After the bill moved out of the House, it was assigned to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy committee and became a vehicle for Sen. Hershman to do the bidding of the utilities. The bill moved out of committee by a vote of 10-1. However, when the bill was scheduled for 2nd reading on the Senate floor, 15 amendments were offered, most of which were offered by CAC and AT&T. The amendments muddied the waters so much, that the bill was not called down and died.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1360: Anti-Consumer

HB 1415: Tax deduction for solar powered roof vents and fansStatus: Died in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee This bill provides an individual income tax deduction of up to $5,000 for the installation of solar-powered roof vents or fans. Solar attic fans have proven to save consumers $75-$150 per year on their energy bills. Not only do these fans save consumers money, they also reduce energy by lowering cooling and heating bills and by using the power of the sun to power the systems. These roof vents and fans will help mitigate climate change, by reducing the need to burn dirty, fossil fuels. Indiana is home to one of the largest manufacturers of these fans; therefore this bill will create new, green manufacturing jobs for our State. HB 1415 will help protect our environment, our health, save consumers money, and help to create new, green jobs.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1415: Pro-Consumer

HB 1620: Energy Efficient BuildingsStatus: Died in the Senate Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee HB 1620 would have required certain government buildings be designed and constructed to achieve or exceed the level of energy efficiency required under certain rating systems. Opposition to this legislation is short sighted and is effectively a mandate on taxpayers to pay more for utilities, and fails to recognize the positive impact that green building design has on worker productivity and worker health. By failing to move this bill for a second year in a row, the Indiana Senate is costing the taxpayers of Indiana millions of dollars in unnecessary utility bills, ignoring the environmental impacts of fossil fuel emissions and pollution, and undermining the economy of our State.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1620: No Vote (Anti-Consumer)

HB 1669: Geothermal conversion loans Status: Effective 7-1-09 HB 1669 establishes the Geothermal Conversion Revolving Fund for the purpose of making loans to school corporations that: (1) install a geothermal heating and cooling system in a new facility; or (2) install a geothermal heating and cooling system that replaces a conventional heating and cooling system.

Rep. Niezgodski's Votes on HB 1669: 2 votes, both Pro-Consumer

SB 300: Net Metering Status: Died in Conference Committee SB 300 expanded Indiana’s net metering rule to allow a customer of an investor owned utility to connect to the grid a renewable energy system with a capacity of 100 kW or less, up from the current law of only 10 kW. Current law also limits the program to residential and K-12 schools only. SB 300 would have expanded the program to all customer classes. Net metering is currently an administrative rule of the IURC; SB 300 would have codified net metering and put it into statute. The bill was written by the Indiana Energy Association, or the investor owned utilities.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 300: Pro-Consumer

SB 420: Renewable energy (Redefining “renewable energy” & Opening Indiana’s Door to Nuclear Power) Status: Died in Conference Committee This bill redefined “renewable energy” to include coal, amended Indiana’s terrible CWIP (construction work in progress) laws to include nuclear power plants (allowing the utilities to charge ratepayers for a nuclear power plant as it is being constructed, before it produces any electricity), and added trackers for the cost recovery of fees associated with siting, design, licensing, and permitting of the new generation facility even if the new facility is never built or placed in service.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on SB 420: Anti-Consumer

SB 423: Substitute natural gas contracts Status: Signed into law by Governor Daniels on 3-24-09 SB 423 permits the Indiana Finance Authority to enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of substitute natural gas (SNG) from coal gasification facilities to regulated energy utilities for delivery to retail end use customers. It also requires the authority to establish the Substitute Natural Gas Account to provide funding for SNG related business.

Pro-Consumer Percentage: 60% The following is a synopsis of how the Representative voted in the 2008 General Assembly on the bills that CAC was tracking. We consider that 80% is a passing grade for the legislators, meaning that if their “Pro-Consumer Voting Percentage” is 80% or above, they are working to protect consumers in the State House. If their percentage is below 80%, they are not working to protect consumers.

These bills contained identical language that allow an out-of-state venture capitalist firm (Leucadia) that seeks to build a coal gasification plant in Southern Indiana to assign tax credits to coal and substitute natural gas producers outside of Indiana. CAC opposed last year’s legislation, which paved the way for construction of this coal plant, as it locked natural gas suppliers, and hence ratepayers, into 30 year contracts for the substitute natural gas, whatever the price, that neither the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission or other governmental entity could subsequently change or even review. CAC raised concerns that it would also spew millions of new tons of CO2 into Indiana’s atmosphere each year.

Promises made last year to garner support for the coal plant – that it would use Indiana coal and produce substitute natural gas in Indiana – were removed in SB 223 in a classic “bait & switch” scheme designed to secure financing regardless of the negative impact to Indiana ratepayers or the economic best interests of the state.

HB 1102: State Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) Status: Dead Authored by Representative Dave Crooks (Washington), HB 1102 was designed to jumpstart a renewable energy market in Indiana by establishing a statewide Renewable Electricity Standard. Over fifty percent the states in the country now have an RES. Most wind development, for instance, is in those states. Indiana has enormous wind potential but the legislation failed in committee due to a bipartisan effort among Republicans and Democrats alike to support the utility and coal industries against the greater interests of ratepayers and economy of Indiana. An RES mandates utility companies to provide a certain percent of their electric generation using renewable energy resources. HB 1102 envisioned 10% renewables by 2018, giving utilities leeway if compliance proved to be unachievable, which, given the experience in other states, would be next to impossible. In addition, studies in Indiana and across the nation demonstrate that the rate impacts of RES’ are minimal, at most 5% but usually 1 to 2 percent over the designated time periods. However, the economic gains in terms of investment and job growth are enormous.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1102: Not on the Committee

HB 1090: Climate Registry Status: Dead HB 1090 would have required Indiana to become a member of the Climate Registry, a collaboration between states (39 have joined), Canadian provinces and tribes to develop and manage a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system in anticipation of future mandatory reduction policies. Authored by Representative Ryan Dvorak (D, South Bend), HB 1090 would have ensured Indiana’s place at the table in developing policies related to CO2 air emissions. Given Indiana’s disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (1st in the nation in per person CO2 air emissions and 5th in CO2 air emissions from coal-fired power plants overall), Indiana’s participation in the Climate Registry is key to acknowledging our shortcomings and facing our challenges for the betterment of generations to come.

Rep. Niezgodski's Vote on HB 1090: Pro-Consumer

HB 1280: Green Building Standards Status: Passed to a Summer Study Committee Authored by Rep. Matt Pierce (D, Bloomington), and joined by co-authors Terri Austin (D, Anderson) and Greg Porter (D, Indianapolis), as introduced HB 1280 would have required large, state, educational, and local public works building projects (other than public schools) – those that are newly constructed, as well as those subject to repair or alteration – to be designed with the goal of achieving the silver rating under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the Green Globes Two Globes level or an equivalent rating system accredited by the American National Standards Institute. These systems rate buildings based on the sustainability of the site, the materials and other resources, water and energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.

Rep. Niezgodski's Votes on HB 1280: 2 votes - both Pro-Consumer

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The CAC Mission: To initiate, facilitate and coordinate citizen action directed to improving the quality of life of all inhabitants of the State of Indiana through principled advocacy of public policies to preserve democracy, conserve natural resources, protect the environment, and provide affordable access to essential human services.